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Psalms 26:9 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאַל־ תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף עִם־ חַטָּאִ֣ים נַפְשִׁ֑י וְעִם־ אַנְשֵׁ֖י דָמִ֣ים חַיָּֽי׃

BSADo notʼal [under no circumstances] takeʼâçaph my soulnephesh [the essence of my being, living breath] away withʻim sinnerschaṭṭâʼ [those who have committed crimes, guilty ones] or my lifechay [existence, being alive] withʻim of bloodsheddâm [those who commit murder, bloody ones]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 26
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (chai.Yai) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 26:9quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist pleads with God not to take his soul away with the wicked.
Who is speakingA psalmist, expressing a deep concern for his soul's fate.
Where we areIn a prayerful plea within a psalm about integrity and divine justice.
The hard wordחַטָּאִ֣ים
Take awayThe psalmist's request highlights a desire for separation from the fate of the unrighteous.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbאָסַף The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Psalms 26:9

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Prayer for Deliverancegenerated

8O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.
9Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,
10in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
11But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

Psalms 26:9 is a heartfelt plea where the psalmist asks God not to take his soul away with sinners or his life with men of bloodshed. This verse is part of a larger reflection on integrity and the desire for divine protection from the wicked, as seen in surrounding verses that express love for God's dwelling and a commitment to walk in integrity.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 28:1–3To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.
21 Samuel 25:29And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.
3Malachi 3:18So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
4Matthew 24:51Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
5Matthew 25:32–44All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word אַל, 'al-generated

The word אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition. In this context, it emphasizes the psalmist's plea to God, indicating a strong desire for his soul to be spared from the fate of the wicked.

This particle appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, indicating negation in various contexts. Its use here underscores the urgency and seriousness of the psalmist's request.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף (te'efsof), meaning 'you remove,' governs the structure of the verse. It is preceded by a negation and followed by two phrases that clarify the subjects of the psalmist's plea.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the psalmist's request, with the negative particle אַל (al) leading the sentence, highlighting the urgency of his appeal.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates אַל as μὴ (), maintaining the negation. This choice reflects a direct and clear expression of the psalmist's wish not to be included with the wicked.

The Greek word συναπολέσῃς corresponds to תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף, indicating a similar meaning of removal or gathering away, which aligns with the psalmist's plea.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 26:9 expresses a deep plea from the psalmist to God, asking Him not to take away his soul with sinners or his life with those who shed blood. This reflects the psalmist's desire for protection and separation from the fate of the wicked.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the psalmist mean by asking not to take his soul with sinners?

The psalmist is expressing a desire for God to spare him from the fate of the wicked, emphasizing his wish to remain in God's favor.

Why does the psalmist mention 'men of bloodshed'?

This phrase refers to those who commit murder or violence, highlighting the psalmist's concern about being associated with those who engage in such actions.

What is the significance of the word 'sinners' in this verse?

The term 'sinners' indicates those who have committed crimes against God's laws, and the psalmist's plea reflects a desire for moral integrity and divine justice.

How does this verse connect to the themes of integrity in the psalm?

This verse is part of a larger context where the psalmist declares his love for God's house and his commitment to walk in integrity, contrasting himself with the wicked.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does it mean to you to ask God for protection from the wicked?
  2. How can you ensure your life reflects integrity in your actions?
  3. In what ways do you see the consequences of associating with those who do wrong?
  4. How can you cultivate a deeper love for God's presence in your life?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the psalmist's plea for protection from the ungodly.

Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 26 354–430
"Destroy not my soul with the ungodly" [Psalms 26:9]. Destroy not then, together with them that hate You, my soul, which has loved the beauty of Your house.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 26 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 26:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Gather not my soul with sinners,.... Profligate and abandoned ones, such as are notoriously profane, and who live and die impenitent ones; otherwise all men are sinners: the sense is, either that he

Read John Gill on Psalms 26 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: Second part of the main body. As the former part expanded, 'I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted in the Lord,' so this second part expands.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 26 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

My soul, i.e. my life, as it is explained in the next clause. Do not bind me up in the same bundle, nor put me into the same accursed and miserable condition, with them. Seeing I have had so great an antipathy against them in the whole course of my life, ,5, let me not die their death; as Balaam on the contrary desired to die the death of the righteous, . And seeing I have loved thy house and worship, and endeavoured to serve thee acceptably, not only with ceremonial cleanness, but with moral purity of heart and life, , do not deal with me as thou wilt with those that are filled with ungodliness and unrighteousness; do not destroy me with them, the righteous with the wicked, , but save me…

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 26 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:Ver. 9. Gather not my soul with sinners] I have loved thy house, which sinners never delighted in; therefore "gather not my soul with sinners"; so the Syriac senseth it. Let me not die the death of sinners, for I never cared for their company; so the Rabbis. Let me not share with them in punishment, for I could never abide their practice. Balaam would die the death of the righteous, but he liked not of their life. Euchrites would be Croesus vivens, et Socrates mortuus. like like Croesus and die like Socrates, Sir Walter Raleigh would live a Papist (there being no religion like that for licentious liberty and…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 26 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Gather not.—Better as in margin. The psalmist prays that he may be spared to worship in the sanctuary, when doom falls on evildoers and carries them off. The LXX. and Vulg. have “destroy not.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 26 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. Gather not my soul with sinners] As I have never loved their company, nor followed their practice, let not my eternal lot be cast with them! I neither love them nor their ways; may I never be doomed to spend an eternity with them!

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 26 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. Gather not] i.e. take not away. Let me not share the fate of those whose society and practices I have ever shunned. How natural a prayer if a pestilence was raging which seemed to strike righteous and wicked indiscriminately! The wicked are described as men of blood (Psalms 26:6), who do not shrink from violence and murder: in whose hands is mischief (Psalms 7:3), they deliberately plan and execute crime; and their right hand is full of bribes, which they take to pervert justice (Psalms 15:5). Nobles and men in authority are referred to. Comp. Micah 7:2-3.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 26 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Gather not my soul with sinners - Margin, “take not away.” The word rendered “gather,” means properly to “collect;” to “gather,” as fruits, Exodus 23:10; ears of grain, Rth 2:7; money, 2 Kings 22:4.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 26 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,

NETBNew English Translation2006

Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people,

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;

RVARevised Version, American1894

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Gather not my soule with the sinners, nor my life with the bloodie men:

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Do not gather with sinners my soul, And with men of blood my life,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not gather my soul with sinners, || And my life with men of blood,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Take not away with sinners my soul, nor with men of blood my life;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not sweep me away with sinners, or my life with people who are bloodthirsty,

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Please don't sweep me away along with sinners. Don't include me with those who commit murder,

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let not my soul be numbered among sinners, or my life among men of blood;

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseclauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתֶּאֱסֹ֣ףremoveprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithחַטָּאִ֣יםsinnersnoun phrase · objectנַפְשִׁ֑lifeיmyוְandclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִםwithnoun phraseאַנְשֵׁ֖יpeopleדָמִ֣יםof.blood(s)noun phrase · objectחַיָּֽlifeיmy

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording. The Dead Sea Scrolls, while partially restored, also align closely with the MT, showing the consistent transmission of this plea across different manuscripts.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

אַל־ תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף עִם־ חַטָּאִ֣ים נַפְשִׁ֑י וְעִם־ אַנְשֵׁ֖י דָמִ֣ים חַיָּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַל־μὴתֶּאֱסֹ֣ףσυναπολέσῃςעִם־μετὰחַטָּאִ֣יםἀσεβῶνנַפְשִׁ֑יμουוְעִם־μετὰאַנְשֵׁ֖יἀνδρῶνדָמִ֣יםαἱμάτωνחַיָּֽי׃μου

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q98aa copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[אל] [תאסף] עם חטאים נפש׳י ועם [אנשי] [דמים] [חי׳י]

3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 26:9אַלmay notmay notאַלאָסַףyou removeyou removeאָסַףעִםwithwithעִםחַטָּאsinnerssinnersחַטָּאנֶ֫פֶשׁlife mylife myנֶ֫פֶשׁעִםand withand withעִםאֱנוֹשׁpeople ofpeople ofאֱנוֹשׁדָּםbloodbloodדָּםחַיlife mylife myחַיעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםחָטָאto sinto sinחָטָאנָפַשׁbe refreshbe refreshedנָפַשׁאָנַשׁbe incurabbe incurableאָנַשׁדָּמַםto silenceto silence: staדָּמַםחָיָהto liveto liveחָיָהלֹאnotnotלֹאשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאזָקֵןoldoldזָקֵןקָבַץto gatherto gatherקָבַץפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעשָׁמַדto destroyto destroyשָׁמַדבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁחַיalivealiveחַיבְּלִיַּ֫עַלBelial: woBelial: worthleבְּלִיַּ֫עַל
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 26:9

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
under no circumstances
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
תֶּאֱסֹ֣ףte.'e.Sof you remove H622 Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
200× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָסַף (acaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gather or remove. It encompasses a range of actions including collecting, assembling, and withdrawing. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like gathering individuals or being gathered. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָסַף 209 vb. gather, remove

Qal

gather, collect

gather an individual into company of others

bring up the rear of

gather and take away, remove, withdraw

Niph.

assemble, be gathered, reflex.

pass. of Qal 2

Pass. of Qal 4; be taken away, removed, perish

Pi.

gather harvest

take in, receive into

as subst. rearguard, rearward

Pu. be gathered, of men

Hithp. gather themselves

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H622 אָסַף gather, remove

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

622 'acaph aw-saf'

a primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to

receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put

up, restore, etc.):--assemble, bring, consume, destroy,

felch, gather (in, together, up again), X generally, get

(him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from

leprosy), (be) rereward, X surely, take (away, into, up), X

utterly, withdraw.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָסַף (a.saph) — to gather.

1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to gather, collect

1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others)

1a3) to bring up the rear

1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to assemble, be gathered

1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2)

1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers

1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others)

1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4)

1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to gather (harvest)

1c2) to take in, receive into

1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst)

1d) (Pual) to be gathered

1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singular
HVqj2ms
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
עִם־'im- with H5973 Preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
חַטָּאִ֣יםcha.ta.'Im sinners H2400 Adj
19× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes someone who has committed a crime or sin, making them guilty. It is used to describe those who have broken God's laws. The KJV translates it as 'offender' or 'sinner'.
Amplified meaning
those who have committed crimes, guilty ones
Tyndale gloss
sinner
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חַטָּא (chatta') refers to someone who is sinful or a sinner, indicating a state of being guilty or condemned. It is derived from a root meaning to miss the mark or err. The entries consistently describe this term as relating to offenders and those exposed to condemnation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חַטָּא] adj. and n.m. 1. sinful. 2. sinners

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2400 חַטָּא 1. sinful. 2. sinners

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2400 chatta' khat-taw'

intensively from 2398; a criminal, or one accounted

guilty:--offender, sinful, sinner.

see HEBREW for 02398

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַטָּא (chat.ta) — sinner.

1) sinners

adj

2) sinful

3) exposed to condemnation, reckoned as offenders

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
נַפְשִׁ֑יnaf.Shi life my H5315 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
754× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Amplified meaning
the essence of my being, living breath
Tyndale gloss
soul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion

= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

The נפשׁ becomes a living being

The נפשׁ is specif.

The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

נ׳ in D

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being

. The נפשׁ becomes a living being

. The נפשׁ is specif.

. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself

. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)

. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions

. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts

. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.

. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.

. נ׳ in D

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5315 nephesh neh'-fesh

from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of

(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,

accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,

appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,

X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),

(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,

mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,

thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,

thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

see HEBREW for 05314

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

1g1) uncertain

1h) activity of the will

1h1) uncertain

1i) activity of the character

1i1) uncertain

נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.

1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

1b) living being

1c) living being (with life in the blood)

1d) the man himself, self, person or individual

1e) seat of the appetites

1f) seat of emotions and passions

1g) activity of mind

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
וְעִם־ve.'im- and with H5973 Conjunction · preposition
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep — Conjunction · preposition
HC/R
may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
אַנְשֵׁ֖י'an.Shei people of H582 Noun common · masculine plural construct
566× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Enosh refers to a human or mankind in general, used to describe individuals or people as a whole in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
human
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.

of individ.

coll. men

man, mankind

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

582 'enowsh en-oshe'

from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the

more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or

collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,

chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,

husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some

( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often

unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in

apposition with another word . Compare 376.

see HEBREW for 0605

see HEBREW for 0120

see HEBREW for 0376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.

1) man, mortal man, person, mankind

1a) of an individual

1b) men (collective)

1c) man, mankind

Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural construct
HNcmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
דָמִ֣יםda.Mim blood H1818 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
360× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Amplified meaning
those who commit murder, bloody ones
Tyndale gloss
blood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּם 300 n.m. blood

blood of man or animal

usually blood become visible

blood used with religious significance

fig. of wine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1818 דָּם blood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1818 dam dawm

from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed

causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of

the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed

(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +

innocent.

see HEBREW for 01826

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּם (dam) — blood.

1) blood

1a) of wine (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

blud (dam, probably from 'adham "to be red"; haima): Used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in either animal or vegetable, as the blood of man or the juice of the grape (Le 17:11, et al.); in the New Testament for the blood of an animal, the atoning blood of Christ, and in both Old Testament and New Testament in a figurative sense for bloodshed or murder (Ge 37:26; Ho 4:2; Re 16:6).

1. Primitive Ideas:

Although the real function of the blood in the human system was not fully known until the fact of its circulation was established by William Harvey in 1615, nevertheless from the earliest times a singular mystery has been attached to it by all peoples. Blood…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Blood

(1.) As food, prohibited in Gen. 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. Deut. 12:23; Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 14:32-34).

(2.) The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; 17:11-13)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The life of all animals was regarded as especially in the blood, which was a sacred and essential part of the sacrifices offered to God, Heb 9:22. It was solemnly sprinkled upon the altar and the mercy seat, "for it is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul," Le 17:1-16 the life of the victim for the life of the sinner. It was therefore most sacredly associated with the blood of the Lamb of God which "cleanseth us from all sin," Eph 1:7 1Jo 1:7. Hence the strict prohibition renewed in Ac 15:29. In direct opposition to this are the heathen customs of drinking the blood of animals and even of men- of eating raw flesh, with the blood, and even fresh cut from the living…

may not you remove with sinners life my and with people of blood life my
חַיָּֽי׃chai.Yai life my H2416 Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
498× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Amplified meaning
existence, being alive
Tyndale gloss
alive
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַי adj. alive, living

of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

of man

of animals, alive, living

animals and man

(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

of water, fresh

(dub.) lively, active

reviving

base

[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18

ref

חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal

animal

in general

wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

living beings, of the cherubic chariot

life, only in late poetry

appetite, activity of hunger

revival, renewal

base

חַיָּה n.f. community

base

חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life

life: physical

life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

sustenance, maintenance

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life

. of man

. of animals, alive, living

. animals and man

. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green

. of water, fresh

. (dub.) lively, active

. reviving

H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general

. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity

. living beings, of the cherubic chariot

. life, only in late poetry

. appetite, activity of hunger

. revival, renewal

H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical

. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence

. sustenance, maintenance

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2416 chay khah'-ee

from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,

year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine

singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether

literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)

beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living

(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)

old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

see HEBREW for 02421

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַי (chay) — alive.

adj

1) living, alive

1a) green (of vegetation)

1b) flowing, fresh (of water)

1c) lively, active (of man)

1d) reviving (of the springtime)

Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.

kinsfolk

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.

1) living thing, animal

1a) animal

1b) life

1c) appetite

1d) revival, renewal

Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)

חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.

community

חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.

1) life (abstract emphatic)

1a) life

1b) sustenance, maintenance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HNcmpc/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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